If TI goes to the NBA next year, maybe ZI will transfer here to get “Fletched” and, in turn, replace TI and thus improve his own chances of getting into the NBA. Eh, just an idle thought while wearing off T-Day overindulgence.
Illinois 90, Arkansas 77 Postgame
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ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I was pretty confident in last year's team too once it started playing and I got a feel for how the pieces were going to fit. Maybe slightly behind the board's consensus then whereas now I'm slightly ahead.
And to be honest I think it's probably not super likely we reach the heights last year's team did, just due to the inconsistency of youth. We'll see, it's possible. No one is beating this team if they shoot like yesterday, but that won't be every game.
My point really is though that "these talented kids will jell" and "wait til the major pieces come back next year and develop through the program" are both optimistic "positive" sentiments. It's just that one has a strong basis in evidence over the course of the Underwood Era at Illinois, and the other has absolutely no basis in evidence over the course of the Underwood Era at Illinois.
I try not to be such a pain all the time, but I get a bee in my bonnet about the "freak out and panic and say terrible things about BU in every game thread, then disregard all logic or understanding of 2024 college sports to spin everything that happens as good omens for some future super-team in the other threads the rest of the week" current of posting around here. I just think it fundamentally misunderstands why we have had and are in a strong position to continue to have success under BU.
It's insisting that nothing is ever a problem versus having confidence that problems will get solved.
I, for one, do not find your posts to be a pain, even the ones that are more negative/positive than I might feel. Contrarian posts might help tap the breaks on breathless, natty predicting posts early in the season. I figure if Gritty is positive about this team, something good might be cooking.
skyIdub
"I can't tell you. Secret."
I'm here for it. (even if I use some /s for giggles occasionally)
This is where you're annoying. You state your opinions as facts far too often.
Ayo stayed and developed over 3 seasons. Hawkins stayed here 4. Frazier and Williams, while not Brad's recruits, stayed here under him and developed. There is evidence of players staying and developing. People can be excited for this year while looking forward to next year and you telling them that they can't do that because there is no evidence it will happen is obnoxious AF.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
The player turnover environment nationally has changed radically from BU's arrival from 2017 to now. Night and day.
But in both national environments, we have been at the forefront nationally of roster upheaval, with COMPLETELY unexpected departures essentially EVERY season.
On both a player and coaching level BU has been systematically unable (and unwilling, justifiably in some cases) to create continuity in line with our peers.
And that's my point. "It isn't true, we do have continuity" and "BU's skills are such that we have and will succeed anyway" are both "positive" sentiments. But only one of them is true.
(KJ, Riley and Ivisic are gone. But I would love to be building around Boswell and Morez and DGL etc next year, supplementing through the portal. Evidence indicates we will probably lose some or all of those guys though.)
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Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
pump this straight into my veins:
foby
- Bonnaroo Land
He waited ...and he saw.... Yup, we good again.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
throwing down the gauntlet to ESPN
Goillinikobd
- Southeastern US
I hate to offer a suggestion to this squad, but a season ago one of the Bulls stars told Ayo to “know what you are going to do BEGORE you get the ball”. KJ seems to drive into the lane and then figure out what to do next. Seems like as soon as he heads up the lane to draw a triple team at least one big should be heading for an open 3 and KJ should immediately locate him. KJ gets in the trees of the triple team and hesitates for a few seconds looking for the open man.
Joel Goodson
- how was I to know, she was with the Russians too?
The Galloping Ghost
- Washington, DC
I mostly agree. At this point, I no longer think about the possibility of next year's team. I'm focused on what we have now because you never know who will be here next season. Heck, I don't even celebrate when we get a recruit to sign anymore because nothing is real until they step on campus. And even then, I want to see them get minutes in that first game just to be sure.
Where I push back a bit about Brad's time here is he has managed to keep the guys he absolutely needed to keep. He got an extra season out of Ayo when it looked like he was gone after his sophomore year. The same with Kofi after his, despite being in the portal. And he managed to do it with Shannon when quite literally nobody had him staying in college. Plus, he got 4 full seasons out of Hawk, too.
Inarguably, though, Brad's willing to let players walk. I think he's confident enough in his recruitment and problem-solving to find solutions to players leaving. I just think he should get credit where it's due when it comes to getting extra years out of some of his very best players when the odds were stacked against them staying. There's something to be said for it and we wouldn't have quite so many banners recently if it weren't for that.
Edit: I actually missed the post from FreshlySqueezed. What I get for scanning. But yeah, those extra years from our stars were absolutely vital to Brad's tenure. Finding a way to manage that changed our trajectory as much as anything. Each of our banners under Brad can be directly attached to them.
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Brad Underwood finally mastered Illinois’ winning formula
And the Illini are now an (inter)national program.
www.thechampaignroom.com
Agreed on the drives and TO’s, but can live with it if he shoots like that. It’s definitely a big step up in competition…he’s playing in the 2nd best league in the world now.
I think it’ll get more golden. Perhaps projecting towards Platinum.
Not to make this a rental car membership tier convo but we have tremendous potential and upside with our 3 major sports.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I think between this and a belief that whatever happens, Brad is gonna get the horses he needs, we're on the same page in a big-picture sense even if we quibble over certain details.
Talent is not going to be the problem. And man, I'm not sure we've had a team with more raw talent this millennium.
As of now, I think Ivisic is for sure back next year. I would say Riley is 50/50. KJ is gone. Kylan/Morez/Ivisic will be the core 3 we build around for sure next year
Also impressive that the Illini performed this way in the 4th game in 9 days.
Going off of this, I think Riley's situation will be one to watch this offseason. Likely in the 20-30 range in the draft. Could come back and put on muscle and go top 10 in a weaker draft the year following. I know that is what mom would prefer.
I watched the replay late last night (had afternoon company) and felt it by far our best game shooting. It carried us to the lead, and held it for 40 minutes.
However, If we played this team again, they could beat us by 20 based on athletism alone, if we didn't shoot almost 50 % from three.
My point is-- we have to shoot well to win. Last year, we could have an off-night shooting but Shannon and Bully-ball would pull us through. We don't have those qualities (yet) this year because we're young. And not very athletic. Only Rez and Boswell can withstand an athletic onslaught from teams like Alabama and Arkansas, Michigan and MSU, not to mention Rutgers and Ohio State. And Rez and Boswell are 18 and 19.
Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE this team because their brand is so exciting, their potential is terrific, and they're outworking the opponent. But let's not anoint them champs just yet. We need to shoot and keep shooting well every night to win. and maybe some day will grow into better defenders (Riley? White?)
To my next point --to keep scoring we need to value our free throws! We have almost everyone capable of shooting 80-90% FT but we can't even hit 70%!
Watch the pros -- they slooow everything down try to make every ft. We go to the line and fire it up, almost without looking at the rim. Why the rush? Why so lackadaisical? My pet peeve with almost all of underwood's teams. Take your time, make the FIRST one, and watch the scores mount. no excuse for missing a free throw unless you're Shaq...
'nuff said...
However, If we played this team again, they could beat us by 20 based on athletism alone, if we didn't shoot almost 50 % from three.
My point is-- we have to shoot well to win. Last year, we could have an off-night shooting but Shannon and Bully-ball would pull us through. We don't have those qualities (yet) this year because we're young. And not very athletic. Only Rez and Boswell can withstand an athletic onslaught from teams like Alabama and Arkansas, Michigan and MSU, not to mention Rutgers and Ohio State. And Rez and Boswell are 18 and 19.
Don't get me wrong -- I LOVE this team because their brand is so exciting, their potential is terrific, and they're outworking the opponent. But let's not anoint them champs just yet. We need to shoot and keep shooting well every night to win. and maybe some day will grow into better defenders (Riley? White?)
To my next point --to keep scoring we need to value our free throws! We have almost everyone capable of shooting 80-90% FT but we can't even hit 70%!
Watch the pros -- they slooow everything down try to make every ft. We go to the line and fire it up, almost without looking at the rim. Why the rush? Why so lackadaisical? My pet peeve with almost all of underwood's teams. Take your time, make the FIRST one, and watch the scores mount. no excuse for missing a free throw unless you're Shaq...
'nuff said...
Santa I’ll take this as my only present.
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